Aang (Gordon Cormier) and his mates higher be careful, as a result of Toph (Miyako) is about to rock their world in Season 2.
In a brand new behind-the-scenes featurette launched by Netflix right now, viewers can get a glimpse of the journey it took to create the live-action model of Toph Beifong, Aang’s essential earth-bending trainer voiced by Michaela Jill Murphy.
Co-showrunner Jabbar Raisani described the casting course of as “in depth” with the group taking a look at over 6000 submissions to slim it down and do a chemistry learn with Miyako Cech, also called Miya. Aang’s seek for Toph within the present equally appears like searching for a needle in a haystack when he has the entire Earth Kingdom to scour.
“My pal Bumi mentioned that my trainer could be a grasp of impartial jing,” Cormier’s Aang tells Toph when attempting to influence her to hitch his trigger. Cormier likened Toph to a “actually imply, older sister” to Aang but additionally described her as “youthful and method stronger.” The Avatar is 100 plus years outdated, in any case.
Viewers get to listen to Miyako name Aang by her signature nickname for him, “Twinkletoes,” along with “Bald Marvel.” The previous comes from the truth that Toph can’t sense Aang as nicely when he hovers within the air.
“Miya obtained it, Miya embodied it, she was related to the bottom, to the earth,” co-showrunner Christine Boylan says within the featurette.
Avatar: The Final Airbender. Miyako as Toph in season 2 of Avatar: The Final Airbender. Cr. Courtesy of Netflix © 2026
That is necessary as a result of Toph is blind, however that under no circumstances hampers her skill to earth bend. If something, it enhances it in a method.
“It was superb to observe Mia approached that position with such self-discipline and dedication,” government producer Ryan Halprin mentioned of the actress, who described her character as “blunt” and having “little to no filter.”
Studying to painting a “totally blind” character was one in every of Miya’s “largest insecurities.” Enter blindness advisor Joe Strechay, who helped strategize with Miya in regards to the detailed method she touches issues and strikes by way of the world. Earth bending is a special story for her, although as seen within the temporary moments of what seems like echolocation Toph makes use of to find objects and other people in relation to her.
“When Toph is bending, it’s evident that she doesn’t have to take a look at what she’s doing,” Strechay mentioned. “It’s form of like taking part in basketball and doing a no-look go.”
Miya was additionally given contacts that fully blocked her imaginative and prescient along with giving her eyes a glance just like that discovered within the animated collection.
“Even with all of the science fiction and tremendous powers, we wish youngsters who’re blind or low imaginative and prescient to observe this present and see themselves within the character,” Strechay added. “I believe Mia actually performed a giant position growing dwell motion model of Toph.”
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